A system for controlling the temperature of a film before and/or during application, the system including: a heat source for heating a film; and stretch rollers; wherein the heat source heats the film from an ambient temperature to a temperature from about 2 C. to about 40 C. above the ambient temperature, wherein the film is heated prior to or simultaneous to being stretched by the stretch rollers, and wherein the ambient temperature is below 15 C. A system for improving the application of film by transfer of electrostatic charge is also described. The preheating system and/or electrostatic charge system may be used to enhance binding and sealing properties of stretch films used for wrapping palletized products in a reduced temperature environment. Other embodiments of the preheating film system and electrostatic charge system, and methods for their use, are described herein.

Techniques for improved efficiency of sintering in additive fabrication are described. According to some aspects, mechanisms for depositing and leveling source material are combined with a mechanism for heating the material. In some embodiments, one or more heating elements may be arranged to lead and/or follow a material deposition mechanism such that heat may be applied to the build region in concert with deposition of material. As a result of this technique, the heating and depositing steps may be performed closer together in time and/or heat may be applied more directly to the material than in conventional systems. As a result, greater control over material temperature may be achieved, thereby avoiding excess temperature exposure and subsequent undesirable changes to the material.

An additive manufacturing (AM) system includes a carriage that deposits material in a defined pattern and a building platform that receives material deposited from the carriage. The carriage includes a pre-heating assembly with a plurality of pre-heating chambers and a printing block with a plurality of slots for receiving a plurality of printing heads. The carriage is equipped with more pre-heating chambers than head slots.

In a three-dimensional printing method example, a build material is applied. A first liquid functional material is applied on at least a portion of the build material. The first liquid functional material includes ferromagnetic nanoparticles that are selected from the group consisting of an iron oxide, a ferrite, a combination of the iron oxide and a ferromagnetic metal oxide, and combinations thereof. The build material is exposed to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency ranging from about 5 kHz to about 300 GHz to sinter the portion of the build material in contact with the first liquid functional material.

Techniques for improved efficiency of sintering in additive fabrication are described. According to some aspects, mechanisms for depositing and leveling source material are combined with a mechanism for heating the material. In some embodiments, one or more heating elements may be arranged to lead and/or follow a material deposition mechanism such that heat may be applied to the build region in concert with deposition of material. As a result of this technique, the heating and depositing steps may be performed closer together in time and/or heat may be applied more directly to the material than in conventional systems. As a result, greater control over material temperature may be achieved, thereby avoiding excess temperature exposure and subsequent undesirable changes to the material.

The unit (1) for processing hollow-body plastic blanks (2) includes a chamber (6) wherein the blanks (2) move along a predetermined path. The chamber (6) is defined, on both sides of the path, by two side walls (3, 4) having inner surfaces (5) that face each other. The chamber (6) includes a main section (9) wherein at least one of the walls (3, 4) is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources (10). The side walls (3, 4) define therebetween, on at least one end of the chamber, an opening (8) for the preforms to pass therethrough. The chamber (6) includes at least one optical confinement section (12) that extends between the main section (9) and the opening (8) and wherein the inner surfaces (5) of the side walls (3, 4) are optically reflective and converge toward the opening (8).

A polymeric material used for 3D printing is preheated, at a first zone in a 3D printer, to a temperature in excess of its glass transition temperature prior to being melted, at a second zone, for incorporation into a build object. This enables the polymer to be processed more rapidly than in the prior art.

A vat heating device is provided, including a vat and a heater. The vat has a bottom plate. The vat is used to accommodate a photosensitive resin. The heater is disposed on the bottom plate, adjacent to the photosensitive resin. The heater is used to heat the photosensitive resin. The heater is on an optical path of a light source for curing the photosensitive resin. A photocuring three-dimensional molding system containing the above vat heating device is also provided.

A method for manufacturing a composite panel includes arranging a continuous reinforcing fiber on a surface in a predetermined pattern to form a structural insert; encapsulating the structural insert in a first resin to form a composite panel; and at least one of painting an exterior surface of the composite panel; applying a film to the exterior surface of the composite panel; and using a transparent resin for the first resin to allow light to transmit through at least a portion of the composite panel.

The present disclosure concerns a molding apparatus including: a first thermally conductive flange and a second thermally conductive flange, said first and second thermally conductive flanges delimiting a cavity configured to receive thermoplastic pre-impregnated textiles, a mold thermally conductive and thermoregulated by a heat transfer fluidcomprising an upper impression and a lower impression, said upper and lower impressions being configured to receive said first and second thermally conductive flanges.